The visit marked their first joint appearance at the site since the devastating assault that struck their Sydney community.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Ahmed al-Ahmed, the man who confronted the Bondi attacker during the December 14 massacre, visited the Ohel in Queens on Monday together with Rabbi Yehoram Ulman of Chabad of Bondi, offering prayers for humanity at the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.

The visit marked their first joint appearance at the site since the devastating assault that struck their Sydney community.

Al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old Muslim originally from Syria, had been standing along the northern edge of Archer Park when gunfire erupted at the Chanukah event.

Instead of fleeing, he rushed forward, seized the assailant from behind, and managed to disarm him even as he was shot repeatedly. During his recovery, he said plainly, “God gave me courage,” a statement Rabbi Ulman has cited as reflecting the bravery that saved lives.

Rabbi Ulman’s own community was at the center of the tragedy. Among those killed was his son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who served with him in Chabad of Bondi. Most of the victims belonged to the congregation he leads. In the weeks that followed, Rabbi Ulman presided over multiple funerals, including that of Rabbi Schlanger, and emerged as a central voice for the grieving Jewish community in Sydney.

Their stop at the Ohel came as part of a private trip acknowledging Al-Ahmed’s actions and the spiritual conviction he has described as guiding him in those moments.

The Ohel, located in the Old Montefiore Cemetery, is open around the clock and draws more than a million visitors every year, from world leaders to ordinary individuals seeking reflection and prayer.

Many more send written pleas and blessings from around the world.

Al-Ahmed’s belief that he was placed at the scene for a purpose parallels a principle long emphasized by the Rebbe: that a single Creator watches over the world and that human choices matter. That teaching forms the basis of the seven Noahide principles, a moral framework the Rebbe encouraged as a universal guide for all people.

The post Muslim hero of Bondi terror attack visits grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe with Australian rabbi appeared first on World Israel News.

Last year, Eli Sharabi’s brother Sharon went to the Ohel to pray for his release. 

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Freed hostage Eli Sharabi visited the gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, a year after his brother prayed for him at the site, and he recounted how saying the “Shema” prayer sustained him during his 491 days of captivity.

Sharabi traveled to New York to speak at the United Nations Security Council to advocate on behalf of the 59 hostages remaining in captivity.

The Rebbe’s gravesite, also known as the “Ohel” is a key Jewish pilgrimage site where Jews go to pray and place small notes with prayer requests.

While at the grave, Sharabi gave thanks for his survival, prayed for the release of the remaining captives and said Kaddish for his murdered family members.

Upon his release, Sharabi learned that his wife and two daughters were murdered during the Hamas massacre on October 7th and the bodies of his brother Yossi and nephew Noam are still being held in Gaza.

He lit a candle in the memory of loved ones, read the names of all of the remaining hostages and placed a note at the grave.

Sharabi also received a dollar, which the Rebbe had given as a symbol of protection.

He met Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion at the Ohel, and the two embraced and wished each other success.

Last year, Eli Sharabi’s brother Sharon went to the Ohel to pray for his release.

Sharabi described how prayer gave him strength during his extended captivity.

“I came from the darkest place in the world — 50 meters underground,” he recounted.

“What gave me strength was saying [the Jewish prayer] Shema Yisrael every morning. Every Friday night, we tried to make Kiddush. We didn’t have wine, so we used water.”

“It was the faith that kept us alive,” he added.

“With the strength of faith and unity, we can overcome everything,” Sharabi said.

The post ‘Saying the Shema prayer gave me strength’: Freed hostage Eli Sharabi visits Lubavitcher Rebbe’s grave appeared first on World Israel News.

Elizabeth Pipko’s position as spokeswoman for the Republican party represents a powerful alliance between the Trump family and the Jewish community.

By Linda Sadacka, Exclusive to World Israel News

In a defining moment resonating across generations, President Donald Trump made history as the first American president to visit the “Ohel,” the revered resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Accompanied by his daughter-in-law Lara Trump and Elizabeth Pipko, the Republican party’s first Jewish spokeswoman, the visit underscored an unbreakable commitment to Jewish Americans.

“She defends me better than anyone,” Trump remarked, highlighting Pipko’s loyalty and dedication to the cause.

Donald Trump visits the gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe with his daughter-in-law Lara and Elizabeth Pipko. (Courtesy)

The day’s powerful symbolism didn’t end at the Ohel. Later, a gathering at the Trump’s Doral property amplified the message of unity and strength, as advocates and supporters stood firm against the forces of antisemitism.

Elizabeth Pipko emphasized the urgency of the moment. “You can completely put partisan politics aside and still admit that when you have four American hostages held by a terrorist group for a year, maybe planting a tree simply isn’t enough,” she said, delivering a clear, unfiltered critique of the lackluster responses from others in positions of power.

Chosen by the family to serve as the GOP’s national spokeswoman during this pivotal time, Pipko was a natural fit for this role. As a proud Jewish woman, Pipko’s connection to her heritage has driven her to amplify Jewish voices.

Reflecting on her experience at the Ohel, she shared, “Everything that I do, I do as a Jewish woman, so of course this experience resonated with me on an extremely personal level.”

Standing beside President Trump at the Rebbe’s gravesite, Pipko felt the weight of her duty and the significance of representing Jewish perspectives on such a historic day. “I feel an immense sense of responsibility to bring Jewish perspectives into the conversation as it is important to me to make sure that every voice in this country is heard,” she added, recognizing the gravity of the moment.

Lara Trump speaks at CPAC 2024 (AP/Magana)

RNC Co-Chair Lara Trump underscored the Trump family’s unwavering support for the Jewish community.

As the nation grapples with a surge in antisemitic violence and rhetoric, Lara’s words resonated powerfully. “What happened in Israel last year on October 7th was an act of pure evil that never should have happened. I was truly honored to visit the Ohel and to pray for an end to this war and the release of the hostages who should not be held for one second more. Standing with the Jewish people at such a pivotal time is of the utmost importance,” she said.

Pipko’s position as spokeswoman for the party is more than symbolic — it marks a milestone. Standing with the Trump family, she represents a powerful alliance dedicated to supporting the Jewish community.

Donald Trump and Elizabeth Pipko (Courtesy)

At a time when others often shy away from taking decisive action, the Trumps have made their stance clear. By embracing Pipko in this role, they are setting a standard of commitment that is rare in today’s political climate.

For Pipko, the events of the day were more than just a duty—they were a calling. “What’s next is always just trying to do the right thing for the people of our country,” she reflected.

In this profound moment at the Ohel, and later at the gathering at the Doral, the Trumps and Pipko sent a resolute message: they stand with Jewish Americans, not just in words but in action, committed to a future defined by security, respect, and unity.

The post Breaking Barriers: Trump and RNC’s first Jewish spokeswoman unite at sacred site appeared first on World Israel News.

Former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump prays at the Ohel, the gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, on the first anniversary of the October 7th massacre.

The post WATCH: Trump prays at Lubavitcher Rebbe’s gravesite appeared first on World Israel News.

Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visited the grave of the Chabad Rebbe in New York this evening, where she was joined families of hostages to pray for their safe return.

The post WATCH: PM’s wife prays with hostage families at Chabad Rebbe’s grave appeared first on World Israel News.

The emissaries in attendance, who hail from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries, kept their colleagues in Israel in mind in their prayers.

By JNS

Thousands of Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries who are gathered in New York City for the 40th annual International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries (Kinus Hashluchim), assembled at the Ohel in Queens, N.Y., the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

The emissaries, who represent Jewish communities worldwide, carried with them prayers from their communities and signed the pan klali, or general letter, which was read at the Ohel and contained prayers for Israel, the Jewish people and humanity at large.

During past conflicts in Israel and times of danger for the Jewish people, the Rebbe made practical suggestions for mitzvahs to elicit God’s protection.

As revealed by a recent survey conducted by Chabad.org and released in conjunction with the Kinus and time to the current war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Jews worldwide have been experiencing a “spiritual awakening.” Some 98% of respondents reported seeing an increase in personal practice related to Jewish traditions and observances among community members in the face of rising antisemitism.

With Chabad representatives in Israel unable to travel due to the war, the usual time slot of the annual group visit to the Ohel was moved forward to allow them to tune in via live stream before the onset of Shabbat abroad.

The emissaries in attendance, who hail from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries, kept their colleagues in Israel in mind in their prayers. The line of rabbis outside the Ohel recited Tehillim (“Psalms”), learned the Rebbe’s Torah teachings and reflected on their role during such trying times.

They also placed handwritten letters, personal notes and requests for blessings on behalf of families, communities and soldiers throughout Israel, as well as the broader Jewish Diaspora.

The post Thousands of rabbis from all over the world pray in New York for Israel appeared first on World Israel News.